In the Auckland home of Abby Plested, social influencer and makeup artist, husband Dan and their three young children.
The effervescent Abby Plested has always adopted an open door policy for visitors, encouraging drop-ins ‘just because’ at any time, with little or no warning. The house may not be perfect at that moment in time, toys on the floor and dishes in the sink, but these vulnerabilities don’t stop Abby from bringing people together and creating a haven where visitors can walk in and be loved, where they are heard. Abby and her families new home has become a hub for their ‘village’ and through a few cosmetic upgrades and design changes, it now perfectly reflects Abby’s bright and maximalist design style and personality.
Located in a fringe suburb of Auckland City and just a stone’s throw away from a number of beautiful eastern beaches, Abby’s new home is perfectly positioned for the much coveted family-fun lifestyle. Close to schools, with plenty outdoor space for kids to roam and importantly, decent coffee and good shopping not too far away.
After having a few lockdowns under their belts by mid 2021, the couple decided it was time to start property hunting for a home that served their family differently. This change came in the form of a 1950’s house that had more recently been beautifully renovated and extended, offering several different zones where they could sprawl out and be kept occupied for extended stretches spent at home; a pool, basketball hoop and grass for the kids, and a home gym setup in the garage for the parents.
Abby had a vision for making the home uniquely theirs as soon as she stepped through the front door. All that was needed were a few small but impactful decorating changes: new curtains, carpets, and updating pendant lights. With a simple beige carpet and white wall backdrop, the hero of all of the rooms are the artfully curated furniture and art pieces.
We spoke to Abby about the vision for her home, where she finds all of her unique pieces and how she puts this together.
